In smart lipo, a solution of local anesthetic and other medications are injected "to fill the fat layer, basically, with fluid to make it safer and decrease bleeding," Diehl said. A surgeon then guides a fiber-optic laser through unwanted fat cells. The laser liquefies and destroys the fat cells.

The patient can go home right after the surgery.

"Ultimately, you end up with less swelling, less bruising, less bleeding and less pain," Diehl said. "The recovery is much faster."

It takes several months for patients to see the final results of the procedure.

Since the Food and Drug Administration approved smart lipo four years ago, many physicians have gotten into the business simply by buying a laser and taking a training course.

Those standards have been controversial in medical circles, because they allow doctors to bypass the intensive training undergone by specialists in plastic surgery.

"People can do damage with a laser or with a regular liposuction machine," Diehl said. "They have to be very careful, and they have to know what they're doing."

Tivnan said that's why she wanted a plastic surgeon and why she's confident the results of smart lipo will be worth the time and money.

The procedure can cost between $2,000 and $7,000, depending on how much work is done. Since it's elective surgery, it's not covered by insurance.

Smart lipo costs less than traditional liposuction, because it doesn't require general anesthesia. It's also done in a plastic surgeon's office, rather than a hospital.

maewyn2Mar 2, 2010

Yeah, the thing is, the plastic Surgeons dont have the proper laser training either, never let doctors use a laser on you with out a nice background in physics, evne the eye surgery, they take a weekend course, buy a laser and they are ready to ruin your life!